Central City is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Central City is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Colorado camping adventure.
$18 / night
"area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"
"Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."
"This location is about 39 miles from Downtown Denver or about 45-60 mins (with traffic). They should just say Central City KOA in the title."
"Very close to Central City and Blackhawk!"
$28 - $202 / night
"This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to."
"Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado. We couldn’t believe it…so close but you feel incredibly removed once you get there."
"So the Gordon Gulch dispersed camping area has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down 233.1 you will find many more unnumbered campsites."
"Getting here is easy, only a few miles away from Nederland and I had cell service (verizon) the entire time."
"Not only is this pretty easy to reach, but Peak to Peak highway is great to drive. Just take P to P south from Nederland and turn right on HWY 132… Campsites and trailhead are about 1/2 mile down. "
"Great (free) Forrest Service campground west of Boulder, CO near a cute little town Nederland."
$33 - $40 / night
"They use a keycode system to restrict access to the centrally-located bathhouse (there is only one in the campground), which I thought was clever. "
"The highway noise was very noticeable, but didn’t take away from the peaceful setting. It was a clean campground. The bathrooms and showers were clean and have a key code for entry."
$26 / night
"Easy to access from Black Hawk/Central City. Tons of forests to explore nearby. It was very busy- sign said campground full but after a drive around all the sites we found one that was open!"
"The proximity to Central City/ Black Hawk is crazy ( less than 2-3 miles) but the proximity to i70 is what makes it a hidden gem."
$29 / night
"Kelly Dahl is a nice campground to get away from the heat of summer and be near Nederland and Blackhawk Colorado. It is quiet during the week and busy on the weekends."
"Mountain biking and hiking are nearby. Nederland Colorado town is nearby (population about 8k) for supplies."
"Just outside of Idaho Springs, take the exit for Co Rd 275 off of I-70. It's a scenic drive up a curvy paved road for about 15 minutes."
"It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging (for me) driving.
Be sure to follow the sign LEFT to Chinns Lake. "
"This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."
"Good site if you want to be close to Denver but still have a short drive to the foothills."
TravelerTerrible spot, def don’t come here during the summer! It’s not pretty at all on the creek or all the different spots deeper into the forest. There’s 0 room and it’s not beautiful at all when it’s sunny & gorgeous out. (Kidding, this place is a gem)
ScoutHey everyone, just wanted to leave a little review about Golden Terrace, South. This is actually a nice campground with some very close together spots, but very quiet people for the most part. We’ve been here for two months and I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly . The shower house facilities is extremely well kept , and has reliable hot water. As for cost cost to park your rather high, I would encourage someone to mix this with Boondocking .
LegendI have a front wheel drive Promaster and it wasn’t impossible, but it didn’t give me the warm and fuzzies trying to get up there. A lot of private property and all just very scrunched. Hard to turn around. Don’t recommend it.
GuideWe're the type of travelers who intentionally seek out underrated places/hidden gems and lesser-visited spots, even in tourist hotspots. That's exactly why we loved Timber Creek CG. It's on the (much) quieter west end, near Grand Lake and a good distance from all of RMNP's most popular sites. In our opinion, that makes for a much nicer, more tranquil camping experience - and evidently the elk agree, because this campground is a hub of elk activity! The video I attached is from the campground just after sunrise, and we saw and heard tons of other elk as well. If you drive this end of Trail Ridge Road at dusk or dawn, you'll see loads of them too (stop and walk around and bit at some of the viewpoints/pullouts). They're supposed to be great for moose, too, but we personally didn't see any.
We stayed one night each in sites 50 and 17, and both were great. Facilities are basic but clean and sufficient, and fairly close to every site. This is a very popular national park, so while you won't have any real privacy, we did feel like the sites were positioned thoughtfully, so that everyone sort of faces a slightly different way. Highly recommend!
ScoutThe first couple of sites are close together, but if you drive further in, they space out more. Had a really good time camping close to the Colorado River. There was a porta potty there, which was very convenient. I was able to get a tiny bit of connection on my AT&T service.
ScoutBeautiful setting. Lake view. Mountain View. Good time.
GuideDue to tough road, the camping site was incredibly quiet. No services but plenty of space, Mountain View’s and locations near gurgling creek.
GuideSo worth the effort to travel the potholes to get to these sites. Almost no other campers mid week. Was cold at night but snow capped Mountain View’s and gurgling creek were beautiful. Later sites are better so worth heading up the road. No facilities so just be aware.
GuideLoved getting off the beaten path with our Bean Trailer. Perfect setting with views of snow capped mountains with a gurgling creek running next to camp. Some sites had cut wood, but no facilities to be prepared.
Camping near Central City, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning views and outdoor adventures. Whether you're pitching a tent or rolling in with an RV, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.
Camping near Central City, Colorado, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but it's good to be prepared. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Central City, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 396 campgrounds and RV parks near Central City, CO and 118 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Central City, CO is Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon with a 4.6-star rating from 48 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 118 free dispersed camping spots near Central City, CO.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Central City, CO that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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